You Need to Drink This: an Old Fashioned for Spring

From designer and illustrator (the fair half of home and lifestyle blog “Freckle & Fair”), a springified old-fashioned to make you feel like a sassy Don Draper.

by Theresa Berens

We love our bourbon at “Freckle and Fair.” While the burn of my favorite cocktail base is perfect for sweater weather, there’s no good reason to stop drinking it when the flowers start blooming. Or when it’s raining and freezing in and you’re daydreaming about sundresses, summer and beachside lemonade. To usher in early springtime, or for a seasonally and appropriate way to celebrate the season finale of “Mad Men,” try our springtime twist on the old fashioned. It’s classic cocktail (so Don Draper) meets a sweet and fruity strawberry lemonade (so Megan Draper).

You’ll Need:

2 ounces good-quality bourbon
splash of club soda
1 teaspoon of sugar
5 dashes citrus bitters
lemon twist
ripe strawberry

Do This:

1. Muddle a ripe strawberry (stem and hull removed!) with citrus bitters and a lemon twist. Add 2 ounces bourbon, a splash of club
soda and ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge, and enjoy!
2. For extra strawberry flavor, add 2 tablespoons strawberry simple syrup:
  • 1 cup strawberries cut up with stems and hulls removed
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
3. Boil all ingredients for 10 minutes, then simmer 10 minutes. Strain liquid and cool before using.
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Theresa Berens is a graphic designer living in Brooklyn and working for Cinereach, a not-for-profit film production company, and True/False Film Fest, a documentary film festival in Columbia, Mo. She is also The Riveter‘s creative director.